NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Sunday, February 23, 2025

Episode Date: February 24, 2025

Vatican: Pope Francis ‘condition remains critical’; American Airlines flight escorted by fighter jets and diverted after security scare; Federal workers face Monday night deadline to justify their jobs; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, prayers around the world for Pope Francis with a new update now on his medical condition. The Vatican revealing new details about his kidney function as the Pope's in critical condition. What's next for his treatment and for the church? We're live at the Vatican. Dramatic new video of fighter jets escorting an American Airlines plane after a bomb threat sent in mid-flight. Passengers on board, look at that, watching through the windows. The tension as the flight touched down. The mother of a police officer killed in that deadly shooting at a Pennsylvania hospital, emotional, recounting her son's heroism.

He had a warrior heart and a warrior spirit. The latest on the investigation tonight, a looming deadline for federal workers to explain to Elon Musk's staffers what they accomplished last week. And now confusion, as some are told not to answer. Plus, Americans making their voices heard at town halls across the country. Ukraine's president offering to step down to end the war with Russia and the massive new drone attack overnight. New concerns about the safety of pro athletes after an NFL player is reportedly robbed at gunpoint. The euphoria celebrity taking a stand with a message tonight on trans rights and the new changes to American passports. And skiing superstar Michaela Schifrin's uphill climb

leading to her new world record. This is NBC Nightly News with Hallie Jackson. Good evening. We're coming on the air with new details tonight about the Pope's health crisis as the eyes of more than a billion Catholics around the world turn to the Vatican now. You can see the many faithful praying for Francis today from Africa to the Philippines as he's honored in his home country of Argentina. The global outpouring coming as we're learning the 88-year-old Pope's dealing with a new kidney issue now. The Vatican says he's in critical condition. But on this Sunday, even from the hospital where he's being treated, the Pope still participating in a holy mass with those caring for him.

Anne Thompson starts us off tonight from Rome. Tonight, Pope Francis remains in critical condition at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. Vatican officials say he is still getting supplemental oxygen to help him breathe as he fights double pneumonia. And there has been no new respiratory crisis since last night. However, the 88-year-old did have some mild kidney failure, which the Vatican says is under control. We worry about sepsis because once you develop sepsis, it can be a life-threatening condition. The Global Catholic Church united in prayer for Francis from Nairobi, Kenya to New York. You know, wouldn't we love to have the gift of some more time with him? To St. John Lateran, Rome's

cathedral. In his hometown of Buenos Aires, where Francis was cardinal, his face emblazoned on the obelisk in the city center. Instead of delivering the traditional Sunday prayer at the Vatican today, Francis sent this message. I am confidently continuing my hospitalization at the Gemelli Hospital, carrying on with the necessary treatment, and rest is also part of the therapy. That rest and recovery means Amy Etton's Minnesota church group will not see the Pope as planned this week. How disappointed are you that you're not going to have that opportunity to see him? Oh, I'm very sad. I am very sad. So I hope that he gets well. Prayers offered with her cousin, Kathy Gregory.

I was very sad and prayed. Anne Thompson joins us now from the Vatican, where Anne, officials there say the Pope is alert, right? That's right, Hallie. In fact, he participated in Sunday Mass with his caregivers today. But given the complexity of the Pope's situation, the Vatican says his prognosis is reserved. Hallie? Anne Thompson, thank you. Dramatic moments for an American Airlines flight out of New York. Fighter jets escorting the plane after a source tells NBC News a bomb threat was reported. Our Claudio Lavanga is at the airport in Rome,

where the plane landed unexpectedly. A mid-air diversion. This video showing the moments fighter jets escorted American Airlines flight 292. The jets surrounding the plane on both sides. The flight was bound for New Delhi, India, and departed New York earlier today. American Airlines riding the plane, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was diverted to Rome due to a possible security concern. There was a sharp turn at the point of the diversion and he said you may have noticed that we've just taken a sharp turn. The reason is there's security concern and so we've diverted to Rome. A source familiar with the matter tells NBC News there was a bomb threat

that was sent via email. Just before the plane landed, fighter jets seen here above the airport in Rome. The plane safely landed where American Airlines say law enforcement inspected the aircraft and cleared it. American Airlines writing the possible issue was determined to be non-credible. Claudio Lavanga joins us now from Rome where that flight landed. And Claudio, it's expected to be back up in the air tomorrow. That's right, Holly. All passengers will spend the night here at Rome's airport tonight before they resume their journey to New Delhi tomorrow. Holly. Claudio, thank you. We're hearing for the first time from witnesses about the terrifying moments inside a central Pennsylvania hospital when a gunman took hostages then opened fire on police. Our Maya Eaglin spoke with the mother of the officer who

was killed in the attack, now being called a hero. Tonight, York, Pennsylvania is a community in mourning. Visitors offering flowers and prayers after the death of officer Andrew Duarte, shot and killed yesterday, responding to a gunman at UPMC Memorial Hospital. His mom, Nancy, remembering his bravery, telling us Andrew just celebrated his 30th birthday. Andrew's my only child. And he's an amazing, an amazing young man. The shooting unfolded yesterday morning when authorities say Diogenes Archangel Ortiz showed up at the hospital and went right to the ICU, carrying a bag with a semi-automatic handgun and zip ties.

There, he held a doctor, nurse, and custodian hostage. This did appear to be targeted at the ICU. Ortiz did appear to have contact previously in the week with the ICU for a medical purpose involving another individual. Police killed the gunmen. And today, Officer Durarte is being remembered as a hero. Nurse Taylor Picano honoring him online,

writing, thank you so much for taking your life to save mine and many other of my coworkers during the shooting. More cops, like this, more cops. Betsy Small took this video for taking your life to save mine and many other of my co-workers during the shooting. Betsy Small took this video from her mom Darlene's hospital room when police rushed to the scene. I was locked in the bathroom because I wasn't sure was there somebody, you know, loose in the building. And with so many unanswered questions about why the gunman came here, now only memories remain. How does it feel to see this outpouring of support and honoring your son? It's been amazing. I'm not surprised that he answered the call. I'm not surprised he

was one of the ones in on the front. He was a mighty warrior. And Maya Eaglin is joining us now from Pennsylvania. Maya, what's the update on the other people who were hurt in this attack? How are they doing? Hallie, we know that at least five other people were injured during this tragedy. Some of them were medical staff. Others were police officers. All of them are in stable condition right now, according to officials. Meanwhile, UPMC Memorial Hospital is still closed off to visitors for right now. Hallie? Maya Eaglin in front of that memorial for us tonight. Maya, thank you. Just hours from now at midnight, most USAID staffers around the world are set to be put on leave. It comes as there's new pushback tonight from other federal agencies to an ultimatum from

Elon Musk telling workers to list their accomplishments this past week or resign. Amish Alcindor reports. Tonight, the clock is ticking on 2.3 million federal workers. Most have until Monday at 11.59 p.m. to respond to an email pushed by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency titled, What Did You Do Last Week? Three sources tell NBC News employees started receiving the email Saturday, asking them to send five bullet points of what they accomplished last week. Americans sounding off at town halls across the country, including at this Q&A for Texas Republican Congressman Pete Sessions.

PETE SESSIONS, Texas Republican Congressman and Senator of the United States, When are you going to wrest control as the Congress back from the executive and stop hurting their constituents? YAMICHE ALCINDOR, And online. PETE SESSIONS, Texas Republican Congressman and Senator of the United States, This gets weirder by the day. We're living in a timeline where our democracy is being dismantled. At this point, I am the most pessimistic I've ever been in my life.

Signs of both mixed messaging from government agencies and a possible power struggle between some Trump officials and Elon Musk, with some agencies telling their workers not to respond. Emails obtained by NBC News show the FBI director telling workers to pause any responses, the State Department saying no employee is obligated to report their activities outside of their department chain of command. But the Department of Health and Human Services is telling workers the email is legitimate and to respond by the deadline.

Musk saying on his social media platform X that failure to respond will be taken as a resignation. That after defending his actions at the conservative conference CPAC. It's waste is pretty much everywhere. So it's like you're going to close your eyes and go shoot in any direction. You can't miss. This weekend, President Trump also praising Musk and Doge. We're removing all of the unnecessary, incompetent, and corrupt bureaucrats from the federal workforce. Yamiche Alcindor is joining us now from the White House tonight.

And Yamiche, what else do we know about those USAID workers set to be placed on leave overnight? Well, tonight we're learning about 1,600 USAID employees working in the United States will be fired. And globally, nearly all of the agency's employees will be put on leave at midnight. Hallie? Yamiche Alcindor, thank you. Overseas now, the Ukrainian president tonight is offering a major concession to try to end the war with Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying today he would be willing to step down in exchange for a peace deal or NATO membership for his country. It comes as Ukraine's air force says nearly 200 Russian drones were launched in an unprecedented coordinated attack on Ukraine overnight. No reports of significant damage to infrastructure.

And in Germany, the far right conservative party there making huge gains in that country's parliamentary election today. The nationalist party Alternative for Germany, or AFD, has come in second place behind centrist conservatives. Support for AFD has been surging lately, in part because of boosts from Vice President J.D. Vance and Elon Musk. Here at home, police in New Jersey are now searching for whoever robbed a player for the New York Jets. The incident raising concerns about

security for pro athletes off the field after a string of high-profile home burglaries. Here's Priya Shrether. Tonight, we're learning of yet another in a series of robberies of high-profile athletes. This time, police say two victims were stalked by three men from Manhattan to New Jersey and robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight. Neighbors say one of the victims plays for the New York Jets. The suspects still on the run. You have high-profile people that get targeted as they go out in the city and otherwise. So it's, yes, it's definitely disconcerting. This comes as police in Wisconsin released video they say

shows robbers breaking into the home of Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. last year, stealing a million dollar championship ring, a Rolex and other jewels. Here you see them leaving the house with what looks like a large save. Last week, federal prosecutors announcing charges against seven Chilean nationals who they say are behind that robbery and at least five others last year, including at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelsey and Bengals QB Joe Burrow. This police body cam video showing four of the suspects arrested last month, authorities say with a car full of Burrow's belongings. Rob D'Amico is a retired FBI agent. Their schedules are so public and they're clearly not home at certain times.

Your schedule's out, like they know where you're going to be. They know, again, that those people have high net worth items that are easy to fence. Tonight, authorities working to stem the tide of crime as these thefts targeting pro athletes become all too common. Priya Shrether, NBC News. Still ahead tonight, the new comments from one of the stars of the hit show, Euphoria. Speaking out over changes she said she was forced to make to her passport. Plus, the landmark win for American skier Michaela Schifrin. Next.

We are back now with the monumental win for one of the greatest skiers in history. Michaela Schifrin notching her 100th World Cup win in Italy yesterday. She already had more World Cup victories than any skier ever, man or woman. It's the first win in months for Schifrin, who's been open about her setbacks from a recent injury. Also tonight, new pushback against the changes to passports after President Trump signed an executive order declaring the U.S. will only recognize male and female genders. Now, one of the stars of the hit show Euphoria is taking a stand and sharing what it means for her.

Camila Bernal has more. Hunter! One of Hollywood's brightest young stars, transgender actress Hunter Schafer, now taking her star power... I told Fabricia at work that she needed to bleach her white curtains. To TikTok. Today, I saw it on my new passport.

Mail. That change in line with a sweeping executive order President Trump signed on his first day in office. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female. Something that now has to be reflected on official documents like passports. This is real and it's happening. Omar Gonzalez Pagan, an attorney at Lambda Legal, says the order is harmful. What happens when your passport changes? It exposes them to not just outing as a transgender person, but it leaves them without that option as an accurate identification of who they are. Schaefer says she first changed her gender markers in her teens.

Now she's using her platform to let others know this policy doesn't change who she is. Trans people are beautiful. We are never going to stop existing. I'm never going to stop being trans. Camila Bernal, NBC News. When we come back, there's good news tonight about an Eagles fan who found a team jacket with a secret tucked inside. There's good news tonight about a Philadelphia Eagles jacket found abandoned in a story we first saw on our Philly station, NBC 10. But it was the secret message inside the coat that has one Eagles fan cheering the loudest.

For the second time, the Vince Lombardi trophy is headed to Philadelphia. It was the Super Bowl win that had Philly on its feet. And to our amazing fans, your Eagles are world champions again. Look at these kids. It's a lot of excitement, a lot of fans in the air. And the parade that followed. This is the time of their life. A point of pride for the city of brotherly love.

A celebration for more than a million. But that day, that day turned out to be extra special for Eagles fan Amy Ronnebarger. I wasn't living in Philly in 2018, but I kept hearing everyone always talk about the parade in 2018. And so when they won the Super Bowl this year, I had people tell me, they're like, don't miss it. Amy went and on her way out, something caught her eye. As I was walking, I noticed there was like a jacket hanging on some kind of like electric box or light post or something. I'm like, oh no, someone left a jacket.

She took a closer look. It was an old Eagles jacket, just her size with a secret tucked inside. A mysterious note pinned to the quilted lining reading, if found, do not return. This jacket belongs to you. I found this jacket on the night of the Super Bowl in 2018, and it only felt right to release back into the city when the Eagles won again. Enjoy the jacket. I hope you get the opportunity to release back into the world with another Super Bowl win soon. Go Birds! I was like, this is so cool. This person, you know, wants to pay it forward.

So I decided, I'm like, I'm going to take this and hold on to it. I'm definitely going to pass it on like our next Super Bowl win because this is awesome. Amy posted about it on Facebook, getting more than 16,000 likes. Some comments even calling this the brotherhood of the traveling jacket. The parade itself was a joy and to be able to find this, it felt magical. And while the identity of the jacket's previous owner remains a mystery, Amy has this promise for whoever left it there that day. I would say thank you for starting something so amazing. Don't worry, I'm going to carry on that tradition.

Go birds indeed. That's nightly news for this Sunday. Thanks for watching. Have a great night.